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(Sports Network) - After getting a strong effort out of their pitching staff on Tuesday, the Minnesota Twins aim for a repeat performance in this afternoon's finale of a two-game set with the Chicago White Sox.

Boof Bonser teamed with three Minnesota relievers on a seven-hitter as the Twins downed the American League Central-leading White Sox by a 3-1 count in last night's series opener. Bonser (2-4) worked the first seven innings and yielded just one run and six hits while racking up a season-best eight strikeouts to stop a personal two-start losing streak.

Pat Neshek and Dennys Reyes combined to hold Chicago scoreless in the eighth before Joe Nathan closed things out for his eighth save of the season.

Jason Kubel gave Bonser all the offense he would need with a two-run homer in the fourth inning, helping lift the Twins to only their second win in their last six games.

Gavin Floyd (2-1) served up Kubel's blast and was dealt the loss after giving up all three Minnesota runs in six innings of work.

Joe Crede accounted for Chicago's lone run with a solo homer, the third baseman's AL-leading seventh of the season. Right fielder Jermaine Dye returned to the White Sox lineup after sitting out four consecutive games with a groin strain, but went hitless in four at-bats.

The White Sox, who rank last in the AL with a .241 team batting average, will get their second look this season at Twins rookie Nick Blackburn tonight. The young right-hander faced the Pale Hose in Chicago on April 7 and received a no-decision in a 7-4 Twins' loss. Blackburn allowed two runs on seven hits through five innings in that game.

The 26-year-old has produced a solid 3.45 earned run average over his first five 2008 starts but was hit hard by Texas in his last mound trip. That came last Friday in Arlington, where Blackburn surrendered five runs and 11 hits in a six-inning no decision.

Blackburn, who has not allowed a home run in 31 1/3 innings this season, threw two scoreless frames in his only other appearance versus Chicago, a relief stint last September.

Chicago counters with Nick Masset, who makes a spot start with the White Sox having played a doubleheader against Baltimore over the weekend. The 25-year- old righty has recorded a 3.75 ERA in five relief appearances this season and has not pitched since April 23, when he tossed two scoreless frames against the New York Yankees.

Masset's only other career start at the major league level came at Wrigley Field on May 20 of last season, and he gained the win in that game by throwing 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball against the crosstown rival Cubs.

The swingman has had his share of struggles when facing the Twins over the course of his brief career. Masset was hammered for five runs over 3 2/3 innings against Minnesota back on April 10 and has surrendered a whopping 16 runs (15 earned) and 21 hits in 9 1/3 frames over four total outings versus the Twins.

These divisional foes split a weather-shortened two-game series in Chicago earlier this month. The Twins won five of nine showdowns with the White Sox at the Metrodome last season.